Faculty & Staff

We believe that great teachers are our best asset.

Dedicated to authentic Montessori education, the administration and staff at Meridian Montessori of Plano are highly trained, talented, and love working with children. 

Marixa

Director

Originally from Colombia, Marixa moved to the United States at the age of 11, carrying with her the values of resilience, family, and a deep appreciation for learning. From a young age, she understood the transformative power of education and how it can shape not only the mind but also the spirit of a child. Over the past two decades, this passion has grown into a lifelong mission: to nurture, guide, and inspire children during the most critical years of their development.

With more than 20 years of experience in education, Marixa has worked with children of all ages, meeting them at every stage of their journey. She believes that each child holds unique gifts and potential, and she has dedicated her career to creating opportunities for them to discover and develop those strengths. Whether encouraging curiosity, supporting emotional growth, or celebrating small victories, Marixa sees every interaction as a chance to empower children and help lay the foundation for their future success.

For the past seven years, Marixa has served as a Director, where her leadership extends far beyond managing day-to-day operations. She is a mentor to teachers, a partner to families, and a champion for every child who walks through her doors. Under her guidance, classrooms have become warm, inclusive, and nurturing spaces where children feel safe to explore, confident to try new things, and proud of who they are becoming. She is especially committed to building strong partnerships with families, knowing that education is most powerful when schools and parents work hand in hand.

Her leadership philosophy is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and continuous growth. Marixa invests in the professional development of her staff, ensuring that teachers feel supported, valued, and inspired to bring their best to the classroom. She knows that when educators thrive, children thrive — and she works tirelessly to create an environment where both can flourish.

Marixa remains committed to her own professional growth as well, always seeking new knowledge, approaches, and insights that can enhance the quality of care and education provided. Her vision is not only to prepare children academically, but also to equip them with confidence, resilience, and a love of learning that will serve them for a lifetime.

At the heart of everything she does is a simple but powerful mission: to provide exceptional care, to support families in meaningful ways, and to create an empowering, nurturing community where children and educators alike can reach their fullest potential

Melanie

Assistant Director

Melanie was born and raised in Texas and holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences from Texas A&M University. After becoming a mother, she developed a deep passion for early childhood education and fell in love with the Montessori method. All three of her sons have attended Meridian Montessori of Plano, giving her a unique perspective as both a parent and a member of the school community. She especially enjoys supporting the families of children who attend the school. In her free time, Melanie enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, and reading.

Latoya

Lead Teacher Infant Room

Latoya moved to the United States from Jamaica at the age of 15. She holds an Associate Degree in Child Development, along with certifications in Montessori Environmental Practices, Patient Care Technology, and as a Parent, Infant, and Child Facilitator (PICC).

With 30 years of experience as an infant teacher, Latoya has also worked with toddlers and pre-kindergarten children for two years each. She is deeply passionate about ensuring that babies feel secure, comfortable, and loved, and takes great joy in encouraging important milestones such as tummy time, first words, and fine motor skills development. Latoya understands the vital role that trust and attachment play in the first year of life and is dedicated to helping infants feel calm and cared for through predictable daily rhythms, always advocating for the infant’s voice.



Latoya has one daughter of her own and in her free time, she enjoys reading and watching crime television shows.

Bertha

Lead Teacher Toddler Room

Bertha is originally from Ecuador and moved to Dallas, Texas at age 22. Her journey into Montessori education began as a parent. After seeing the positive impact of a Montessori education on her three daughters she was inspired to pursue a career in Montessori education. She began as a classroom assistant before earning her AMS Montessori certification in 1995. Bertha has now been teaching for 40 years, including 20 years in this building.

Currently, she teaches children ages 2.5 to 3, helping them to develop independence, communication, and practical life skills. She enjoys seeing how quickly young children absorb and apply what they learn through Montessori’s hands-on, sensory-based approach.



Outside the classroom, Bertha enjoys gardening, cooking, and spending time with her daughters, grandchildren, and her beloved cats and parrot.

Celene

Lead Teacher Pre-Toddler Room

Originally from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Celene moved to San Francisco, California, at the age of five. In 2003, her family relocated to Texas, where she graduated from Plano East Senior High. Celene brings twenty years of experience to her role as a Montessori educator. She earned her Primary Montessori Teacher Certification in 2010 and went on to assist at the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) workshop in Fort Worth, Texas, in 2012. She further expanded her expertise by becoming a Certified Positive Discipline Educator in 2015 under the mentorship of Chip Delorenzo, co-author of Positive Discipline in the Montessori Classroom.

Throughout her career, Celene has worked with children ages 2 to 9. Her approach to teaching focuses on creating a nurturing, respectful, and engaging environment that supports each child’s unique developmental journey.

Mrs. Celene has been happily married for 14 years and is the proud mother of three children. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending time with her family, fishing, riding horses, feeding the cows, playing volleyball, and attending church every Sunday.

Mallika

Lead Teacher Primary Room

Mallika was born in India where she earned a Master’s degree in Mathematics. She is Montessori Certified and has over 15 years of experience teaching the Montessori curriculum, Mallika has developed a deep understanding of how to nurture and guide young learners in their educational journey.

She is dedicated to fostering a love of learning in children, helping them build a strong academic and social foundation for future success.

She is also the proud mother of two wonderful children. Outside of teaching, Mallika enjoys stitching, painting, gardening and spending time with her family and adorable dog Pippin.

Nirmala

Lead Teacher Primary Room

Nirmala was born and educated in India, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Arts and a Bachelor's in Education. After moving to the U.S., she received her Texas Teacher Certification and taught in Frisco ISD for two years. She later completed her Montessori certification for the Primary age group (3–6) and has spent the last 14 years as a Lead Primary Teacher. Nirmala is passionate about early childhood education and says, “I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. As an early childhood educator, I believe part of them always belongs to me.” In her free time, she enjoys gardening and organizing.